Charged Membrane, Low Pressure Ultrafiltration to Treat Acid Mine Drainage Waters

This report investigates the feasibility of low-pressure ultrafiltration using negatively-charged, non-cellulosic membranes for the simultaneous separation of contaminants in acid mine drainage waters. The objective was to develop an effective treatment process that facilitates both metal recovery and water reuse from polluted sources. Methodologically, a series of experiments were conducted to assess the performance of the charged membrane systems under varying operating conditions. Results indicated that the application of low-pressure ultrafiltration significantly improved the removal efficiency of heavy metals and other inorganic contaminants from mine waters, demonstrating the potential for this technology to mitigate environmental impacts and enhance resource recovery. The findings suggest that this membrane-based approach could serve as a viable solution for treating acid mine drainage waters effectively.